Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-01
Sheep-Husbandry.


tries had to be considered, we have never
experienced the time when we thought it
best to abandon the cultivation of the
staple crops adapted to our climate and
soil. To do that, would be, in effect, the
surrendering in great measure the con-
tinued improvement Of our lands under the
rotation system, and give oyer to despair
the impoverished acres, once of good
natural fertility, that now in their mute
pleadings appeal for better future, and to
have their classification in production with
others that, in the earlier returning thrift,
have been saved from fate that has set it's
blight more signally in other quarters of
Virginia
Fortunately for our Valley and mountain
country, and we hope for all in the broad
scope where adversely has extended it's
darkened shadows of late years, there are
many practical and profitable expedients
which come with their timely missions of
good in the shape of "Mixed industries"
to which we can turn our hand with as
surances of gain, without abating one whit
the claim which the staple crops and soil
improvement have upon US. One of this
class is sheep-husbandry, and in its prose-
cution the comparatively few farmers of
Augusta county engaged in it occupy a
most worthy position, emitting them,
with others here and there in the State, to
the distinction of patrons deserving emula-
ton, both for the progress they are making
in advancing that interest and in sustain
ing special laws necessary to every COM
munity that would have this industry
fostered and grow in its midst. The
worthless dog is the bane of this interest,"
He seems to be fixed, though he is not a
necessary evil to our civilization, and the
best that rejecting people can do now is to
tax all alike-the noble as we'll as the
vicious of his kind-to contribute to pay
the damages that the species following the
leading instincts of its nature inflicts by
preying upon our sheep-folds.
| In 1875, Augusta county obtained
through the instrumentality of its represen-
tatives in the Legislature a special law i'm
posing such tax upon dogs, as did also a
few other counties. Here the law has been
fixed principle of our economy, whilst
some of the other counties, deluged with
the demagogy of the times, had to sue
cumb to the cry which clamored for repeal,
consignipg this important industry to the
hazards it has to endure where regiments
of prowling ours, by day and by night,
roam unmolested over our fields.
The income from the tax on dogs which
has passed annually into the treasury of
Augusta county, has been sufficient to pay
a fair compensation for the damage done
to sheep killed and wounded since the law
has been in force. The moral influences
with all, whether engaged in rearing flocks
or not, have prevailed over the baneful
spirit that would have doomed US to a
retrograde movement. The law still stands,
challenging the support of every citizen
whose aspiration for good government rises
above sordid aims.
|
damaged has been fraction less than five
hundred per year, and each year has wit
messed a gradual reduction, number for
the year ended first of May. 1887, being
four hundred and twenty-six, according to
the returns compiled by the Clerk of the
county. There were eighty-four claim
ants. The tax on dogs amounts to ST.
617.96, which, being apportioned among
the claimants, gives something over 81 per
head for all killed and wounded. Under
the circumstances, the whole ten years of
our experience with the workings of the
law demonstrate it's wisdom and its bene-
fits, giving encouragement for the future
not only by protection of the interest,
but in the equally desirable objects on the
other hand, the lessening of the casualties it
seeks to prevent.
For the past two or three years, Judging
from our limited means for ascertaining
accurately, sheep husbandry has not de-
veloped in Augusta county as it did in
previous yea1s, though it has increased in
Highland and other adjacent country. 1t
is manifest that during the last year more
and better systematized efforts were made
in its behalf than was the case Immediately
previous. The receipts of wool at this
early time of the season by our dealers is
largely in excess of the corresponding
periods of the last and previous years. The
higher quotations now over this time of
former years doubtless contributes to swell
the receipts; but apart from that, there are
many evidences which will safely warrant
the conclusion that the industry has been
set forward, and that its continued prog
ress is assured.
Our expert sheep growers. though not in
the numbers that they should be, have not
been idle-very far from it. The exhi-
billions Of the State and our district and
county-fairs have uniformly numbered
them with the competitors for premiums
AT all, each of them has scored high
notches and one gained the highest dis
tinction at every exhibition in topping the
| list of awards. both for his pens and his
single animals.
May we not express the hope that the
time is most favorable Tor larger develop
ment in sbeep-husbandry as one of our
"Mixed industries" A single farmer can
not embrace all in suppementing his in
come, which, so far as money is concerned,
is far from redundant from the staple
crops at present. Some there are who
pride themselves in cattle, horses, the
dairy, swine, fruit, &C., and whilst urging
all forward, let the expert in sheep-hus-
bandry press his example upon others hav-
ing like tastes and inclinations, and thus
demonstrate that substantial thousands of
wealth from this ancient and honored de-
partment of PASTORAL pursuits can be made,
adding to the thrift and resources of the
central and empire county of the Valley of